System of electric distribution



March 3, 1931. A. c. CONNELL SYSTEM OF ELECTRIC DISTRIBUTION Filed Feb. 1, 1929 Inventor Amos C. Conn el l by W H: s Attorney.

atentecl Mar, 3, 193K orricr.

PAEQY, A C(ERPQRATIGN ftlEVtT s'rrsrnra or nnncrrnrc nrsrornu'rron Application filed February 1, Serial fie. $36,853.

My invention relates to systems of electric distribution and particularly 'toa system comprising an electric circuit divided into a plurality of sections which are connected in series by sectionalizing switches and means for supplying current to one or both of the end sections of the circuit, and its object is to provide an improved arrangement for isolating a faulty section in such a system of distribution from the rest of the circuit.

In accordance with my invention an overload circuit breaker is provided between each source of current and the end section to which it is connected and each sectionalizing switch has means associated therewith which is responsive to the voltages across the two adjacent sections for eliecting the opening of the switch when both adj acent sections are simultaneously deenergized, tor reclosing the sectionalizing switch when one or the adjacent sections is reenergized for a predetermined time and for preventing a subsequent reclosure of the switch until both adjacent sections have been energized simultaneously for a predetermined time.

My invention will he better understood from the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawing and its scope will be pointed out in the appended claims.

in the accompanying drawing, Fig. 1 is a diagram of a system of distribution to which my invention is particularly applicable and Fig. 2 is a diagram of a control arrangement embodying my invention which may be used to control the sectionalizing switches shown in Fig. 1.

Referring to the system of electric distribution shown in Fig. 1 a plurality of sections 1 of an electric circuit are connected in series by sectionalizing switches 2 and the end sections of the circuit are connected to suitable sources of current 3 by overload circuit breakers 4. While I have shown a source of current connected to each of the two end sections of the circuit, my invention is also applicable to a system in which a source is connected to only one of the end sections. My invention is also applicable to a system in which other switches and overload circuit breakers are involtage relay 12 terposed in series between an overload cir cuit breaker 4: and the associated source 3.,

In a system of the type shown in Fig. 1,

it is desirable to provide each sectionalizing switch with a suitable control arrangement 5 whereby a fault on any section efi'ects the opening or" all of the sectionalizing switches after the overload switches a have opened to interrupt the supply of current to the circuit and whereby the reclosing of the circuit breakers 4: efiects the successive reclosing of the switches beginning with the one nearest the reenergized end section and whereby aswitch which reconnects a faulty section to the circuit is opened and locked out against a subsequent reclosure without efiecting the locking out of any other switch.

In Fig. 2 l have shown a control arrangement 5 embodying my invention which may be used to control each of the sectionalizing switches 2 of Fig. 1 so as to accomplish the above results. Referring to Fig. 2, the sectionalizing switch 2 is shown as a latched-in switch which is provided with a closing coil 7 for closing the switch and a low voltage trip coil 8 which, when energized, holds a latch 9 inv its latching position against the bias of a releasing spring 10. Suitable timing means such as a dash pot 11 is provided so that the latch 9 is not moved out of its latching position until after the voltage impress upon the trip coil 8 has remained below a predetermined value for a predetermined time.

The trip coil 8 is arranged to be energized in accordance with the voltage across the two adjacent sections 1 when the switch 2 is closed. This result is accomplished by means of a voltage relay 12 which is connected across the secondary of a suitable potential transformer 13, the primary of which is connected across one of the adjacent sections 1. The is arranged to connect the trip coil 8 across the secondary of the trans former 13 whenever the voltage of the section, to which the primary of the transformer 13 is connected, is above a predetermined value. In this manner the switch 2 is prevented from opening until after the overload circuit breakers 4 at the ends of the circuit have opened and deenergized the circuit.

' primary of which is connected In order to efiect the successive closing of the switches 2 in Fig. 1 each switch 2 is arranged so that it recloses when either of the adjacent sections is energized for a predetermined time. This result is obtained by means of a time relay 14 which is arranged to be connected across the secondary of the transformer 13 whenever the switch 2 is opened and the section 1, to which the pri mary of the transformer 13 is connected, is energized and which is arranged to be connected across the secondary of a transformer 15 the across the other adjacent section 1 when the switch 2 is opened and the section to which the transformer-'13 is connected is deenergized. The

time relay 14 when energized for a predetermined time is arranged to complete an energizing circuit for the closing coil 7 to close the switch 2 the switch 2.

In order to efiect' the locking out of the switch 2 when it'reconnects a faulty section to the circuit,I provide a lockout relay 16 which controls the circuit of the closing coil 7 so that whenever the lookout relay is in its lockout position the closing coil '7 cannot be .reenergized to close the switch. As shown in the drawing, the lockout relay 16 is provided with an operating coil 17 which is arranged so that when it is energized it moves the lockout relay to its lockout position. As

so that whenever the switchz2 is closed the associated lockout relay. 16 is moved to itslockout position; The lockout relay is held in its lockout position by a latch 18 which is arranged to be released by a release magnet 19. Therefore, it will be observed that each time the switch 2 is closed the lockout relay 16 is 7 moved to its lockout position. Inorder to,

efiect the resetting of the lookout relay when closes and reconnects a normal section to thecircuit, I provide a time relay 21' which is arranged to be energized when both of the adjacent sections are simultaneously'energized and the lookout relay'16 is in its lockout position. Ifthe time relay 21 remains energized fora predetermined time,

energizing circuit for the re-v lease coil-19 so that-the lockout. relay 16' reit completes an turns to its normal position. g

The time settings of the relays 21 and 14 are adjusted so that they are both longer than overload cirthe overload time settings of the cuit breakers 4 and the time setting of the re lay 21 is shorter. than the time setting of the relay'14 so that when theswitch 2 closes and connects a faulty section to the circuit the overload circuit breakers 4 operate before the time relay 21 of the last switchtoclose can efiect the resetting out relay 16 and I connects a normal section to the circuit the time relay 21 of known in the art.

shown in the drawing the operating-coil 17- diately.

is connected in series with the closing coil 7 so thatthe next section is I If the conditions are normal on the next the other end of its associated lockso that when the switch 2' I I ,30 of the relay-12 and contacts 31 the last closed switch, has 7 messes suihcient time to reset its'lockout before the time relay 14 associated with the next switch in the predetermined sequence can effect the reclosing of its associated switch.

The operation of the arrangement shown in the drawing is as follows: Under normal operating conditions all of the-overload circuit breakers4 and sectionalizing switches 2 are closed so that all of the sections 1 are connected in series. the low voltage trip coil 8 of each sectionalizing switch are energized so that the switches are held in their closed-position by their respective latches 9. When a fault occurs on any section the overcurrent produced thereby causes-the circuit breakers 4 to open so that the circuit is deenergized. After a predetermined time which is sulficient to allow the circuit breakers 4 to open and interrupt the supply of current to the circuit all of the The voltage relay 12 and 7 tions are disconnected from each other. The

overload circuit breakers 4 are then reclosed either manually or automatically in any suitable manner, examples of which are well As soon as one of the circuit breakers 4 is closed, for example the one shown on the left-hand side of the drawing in Fig. 1 the adjacent section is reenergized. The relay 12jassociated with the switch 2 at the other end of he energized section imme closes its contacts 24 and completes across the secondary of the transformer 13 an energizing circuit for the time relay 14. This energizing circuit also includes the auxiliary contacts 25 on the open switch 2 and the contacts 26 of the lockout relay 16. After a predetermined time, the relay 14 closes its contacts 28 and connects the operating coil 17 of the lockout relay 16,;the closing coil 7 of the switch 2, the contacts and the contacts across the secondary of the transformer 13.

to its lockout position in which position it is held by the latch 18'. When the lockout relay 16 is in its lockout position, the contacts 26 '10s 28 of the relay 14 24 of the relay. 12 in series in the energizing circuit of the control relay 14 are opened so that this relay cannot be reenergized to reclose the switch2 until the lockout relay has been reset. -The energizetion of the closing coil 7 closes theswitch2 V energized.

section the time relay 14 of the switch 2 at of the'energized section is energized and effects thejclosing of its associated switch in the can close, however, time relay 21 of the last switch manner above described. "Before the next switch '2 i the coil of the to .be reclosed is connected across the secondary of the'transformer 15 through contacts of thelockou relay16 and by closing its bontacts 29 memes completes across the secondary of the transformer an energizing circuit for the release magnet 19 so that the lockout relay 16 of the last switch to close is restored to its normal position before the next switch is re closed.

' :The switches 52, therefore, are successively reclosed beginning with the one nearest the end section which is energized until either all of the switches are reclosed or one of them connects a faulty section to the circuit.

When any switch recloses and connectsa faulty section to the circuit, the overload circuit breaker iat the end of the circuit again opens and deenergizes the circuit so that the opening of all of the closed switches is efiected. It will be observed, however, that the lookout relay 16 associated with the last breaker l switch 2 that was reclosed is still in its lockout position because the overload circuit breaker opened and deenergized the circuit before the time relay 21 associated with this switch 2 had time to affect the energization of its associated release magnet 19. Therefore, when the circuit breaker l is reclosed a second time, all of the switches 2 between the circuit the fault section except the one at the end of the iaulty section, which is locked out, are reclosed and remain closed.

/Vhen' the circuit breaker 4r at the right end of the circuit shown in Fig. l is reclosed after a fault has efiected the opening thereof, the operation of the sectionalizing switches 23 is the same as above described except that durthe closing operation of a switch the relay 12 associated therewith is deenergized so the relay M, the operating coil 17 of the lock out relay l6 switch are energized from the secondary of the transformer 15 instead of the secondary of the transformer 13.

will be observed, therefore, that have provided an arrangement for disconnect-in and looking out the switches at each end a section when a fault occurs on the section. Since each switch 2 is arranged to be opened and locked out when the voltages across the two adjacent sections fail to remain above predetermined values for a predetermined time after the switch is reclosed, and, 5 arranged not to be locked out when the voltages across the two adjacent sections remain above predetermined values for a predetermined time, it will be observed that a locked out 'sectionalizing switch maybe reclosed automatically as soon as the fault on the faulty section has been removed and the section has been reenergized in any sultable manner for a predetermined length of time. Therefore a loeked'out switch 2 at one end of a section,

can be automatically reclosed by closing the switch 2 at the other end of the section after the fault has been removed.

While I have, in accordance with the patent statutes, shown and described my invenand the closing coil 7 of t e tion' as applied to a particular system and as embodying various devices diagrammatically indicated, changes and modifications will be obvious to those skilled in the art and I, therefore, aim in the appended claims to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of my invention.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is:

1. In combination, an electric circuit comprising aplurality of sections and sectionalizing switches connecting said sections in series, a source of current, an overload cir cuit breaker between said source and said circuit means for efiecting the opening of all of the sectionalizing switches between the faulty section and the overload circuit breaker when a fault occurs on any section, and means associated with each sectionalizing switch and responsive to the voltages across the adjacent sections for efiecting the closing of a switch when one of the adjacent sections is energized and for locking out against a subsequent reclosure if the voltage across the other adjacent section fails to remainabove a predetermined value for a predetermined time after the sectionalizing switch is closed.

2. in combination, electric circuit comprising a plurality of sections and sectionalizing switches connecting said sections in series, a source current, an overload circuit breaker between said source said circuit, means for effecting the opening of all of the sectionalizing switches between fau ty section and the overload circuit 1 Len a fault occurs on any section,

assoc. with each sectionalizi and responsive to the voltages adjacent sections for eflecting the v switch n one of the adjacent s ener ized for a predetermined time and for looking it out against a subsequent rec osure if -e voltage across the other adj section said switch closes does not remain above predetermined value for a eterinined time which is shorter than said first mentioned predetermined time.

3. In combination, an electric circuit con prising a plurality of sections sectionalizing switches connecting said sections in series, a source of current, an overload circuit breaker between said source and said circuit, means for efi'ecting the opening of all of the sectionalizing switches between the faulty section and the overload circuit breaker when a fault occurs on any section, and means associated with each sectionalizing switch for controlling the operation thereof comprising means responsive to the voltages across the respective tions,

means controlled by said voltage readjacent seclKi . alizing swltches connecting said sections in series, a source of current, an overload circuit breaker between said source and said circuit, means forefi'ecting the opening of all of the sectionalizing switches between the fault section and the overload circuit breaker when a fault occurs on any section, and means associated with each sectionalizing switch for controlling the operation thereof comprising means responsive to the voltages across the respective adjacent sections, means controlled by said voltage responsive means for closing the switch when the voltage across one of the adjacent circuits remains above a predetermined value for a predetermined time, a lookout relay for controlling said circuit having an operatingwinding and a release winding, means for controlling the energization of said operating winding so that whenv said switch is closed said lockout relay is moved to its locked position to prevent further closing of said switch, and means controlled by said voltage responsive means torcontrolling said release winding so that said lockout relay is restored to its normal position to permit further closing oat said switch when both of said adjacentsections are simultaneously energized tor a predetermined time interval.

5. In combination, two electric'circuits, a switch connecting said circuits, means for opening said switch, means responsive to the voltage across one of said circuits for closing said switch when said one of said circuits remains energized for a predetermined time, and means responsive to the voltage across the other circuit for rendering said first mentioned voltage responsive means inoperative to effect further closing of said switch it the voltage acrosssaidother circuit does not remain above a predetermined value for a predetermined time after said switch is closed.

6. In combination, two electric circuits, a

I switch connecting said circuits, means responsive to the voltage across the interconnected circuits for opening said switch when the voltage decreases below a predetermined value, means responsive to the voltage across one of said circuits for effecting .the closing of said switch when the voltage across saidi one of said circuits remains above a pre-* determined value for a predeterminedtime,

a lockout device arranged when in its lockout I closing of the mined length position to render said voltage responsive means inoperative to effect the closing of said switch, means for causing said lockout device to move to its lockout position when said switchis closed, and means responsive to the voltage across said circuits for causing said lockout device to be restored to its normal position when'the voltages across both of said dv circuits simultaneously have remained above predetermined values for a predetermined time.

7. In combination, two electric circuits, a switch for connecting said circuits, a closing coil for said switch, a lockout relay having an operating coil which when energized operates the relay so that said closing coil cannot be subsequently energlzed and a release coil which when energized restores said relay to its normal position so that said closing coil can be subsequently energized, means responsive to a predetermined voltage across one of said circuits gization of said closing coil and said operating coil, and means responsive to the voltage across the other of said circuits for efiecting the energization of said release coil it the voltage across said above a predetermined value for a predetermined time.

8. In combination, two'electric circuits, a switch connecting said. circuits, means responsive to the voltages across said circuits for efiecting the opening of said switch when both circuits are simultaneously deenergized and means for closing said switch when either of said circuits is reenergized for a predetermined length of time and for preventing a subsequent'reclosure of the switch it the voltages across both circuits tail to remain above predetermined values for a predetermined time after a reclosure of said switch.

9. In combination, two electric circuits, a switch connecting said circuits, means responsive to the voltagesacross said circuits for effecting the opening of said switch when both circuits are simultaneously deenergized and means for closing said switch when either of said circuits is reenergized for a predeterof time and for permitting a subsequent reclosure of said switch only after the voltages across both circuits have simultaneously remained above predetermined values for' a predetermined time.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 30th day of January, 1929.

AMOS G. CONNELL.

other circuit remains for effecting the simultaneous ener- 

